One of the biggest concerns most homeowners have in the
summer is the amount ofhumidity levels inside their home. There is one very
simple mistake many homeowners make in the operation on their HVAC systems and
by simply correcting this small issue, humidity came be reduced up to 20% to
25% all summer long.
A common mistake many people make is running their furnace
fan in the “on” position constantly trying to achieve air circulation and
ventilation, but instead end up putting the humidity and moisture their air
conditioner just removed back in the air in the home causing a musty smell,
mold growth and uncomfortable conditions.
For many years, there has been a myth that it is desirable
to run the furnace fan in an HVAC system in the “on” or constant fan run
position to better mix the air in the home and provide better air cleaning.
This practice was started and promoted by the manufacturers of air cleaning
systems that felt this mode of operation would help people believe the furnace
mounted air cleaners would bring about better indoor air.
This was not the case as a furnace filter’s job is to keep
the furnace and air conditioner coil clean allowing it to operate properly and
efficiently. The negative side effect of the fan running all the time is a
condition called re-humidification.
Re-humidification occurs when the fan air moves across the
removed water collected in a small drain pan or collector basin mounted on top
of the furnace and that water is sent back into the air stream as a vaporized
mist. An air conditioner will remove gallons of water every day out of a home
and it is supposed to run outside the home in a small plastic drain line and
evaporate.
The fan running picks up this just removed moisture and adds
it right back in the air that was just dehumidified. This up and down moisture
removal will make a home seem muggy and uncomfortable all the time and people
will normally just keep turning down the temperature in the home trying to
achieve comfort with no positive results.
The only setting you want to use on your thermostat is
automatic which will allow the fan to cut off after your outdoor air
conditioner finishes its cycle. For more information, call Reliable Heating
& Air.